Pages

Friday, September 30, 2005

DARING ATTEMPT: The South African production centre stunt director Francois Grobelaan replacing a Fear Factor flag with the Jalur Gemilang at the KL Tower on Thursday.The stunt was part of the launch of the Asian version of the reality show.

BY ZACK YUSOFThe Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been chosen to house the first Asian production centre for the popular stunt-challenge reality television programme Fear Factor.

The centre was set up this month by local media company Juita Viden to produce Fear Factor, which is licensed by Endemol, the world's largest format creator for television.

The centre will produce the Asian version of the show for Malaysia and other countries in the region.

Currently, it is shooting the first season for Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

PETALING JAYA: “Don’t pass the buck,” Bank Negara has told petty traders, restaurants and retailers in a bid to collect the millions of RM1 coins in circulation before they cease to be legal tender on Dec 7.

Petty traders, restaurants and retailers have been “getting rid” of their RM1 coins by passing it off as change to the public.

Bank Negara, aware of this, held briefings for traders, hawkers and business associations telling them to stop the practice and bank in the coins to help the central bank mop up the coins by the deadline.

The central bank said that the public should refuse to accept RM1 coins as change.

Monday, September 12, 2005

All eyes will be on Istana Budaya’s concert hall foundations tomorrow night as the West End musical Stomp’s makes its explosive debut in Malaysia. Stomp, regarded as the loudest musical on Earth, cranks up the volume at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 13 to 25 – and this wacky show has the rocking pedigree to shake any venue to the ground.

After a thrilling weeklong run of sold-out shows at Hong Kong’s Academy of Performing Arts – Lyric Theatre, which ended yesterday, it’s now the turn of local theatregoers to brace themselves for impact.

All eyes will be on Istana Budaya’s concert hall foundations tomorrow night as the West End musical Stomp’s makes its explosive debut in Malaysia. Stomp, regarded as the loudest musical on Earth, cranks up the volume at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 13 to 25 – and this wacky show has the rocking pedigree to shake any venue to the ground.

After a thrilling weeklong run of sold-out shows at Hong Kong’s Academy of Performing Arts – Lyric Theatre, which ended yesterday, it’s now the turn of local theatregoers to brace themselves for impact.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR: A whopping RM1.5bil belonging to people who have forgotten about their money, lost their passbooks or died, is waiting to be claimed from the Registrar of Unclaimed Monies.

The money is mainly from savings accounts, fixed deposits and dividends that had been left dormant for seven years in financial institutions. These are submitted to the Accountant-General, who is also the Registrar of Unclaimed Monies.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Yes! Finally, some action is being taken. I have often wondered why the authorities have not been promoting the growing of our national flower, the hibiscus. Being the national flower, shouldn't we see more of this flower? With the many varieties and colours, they would certainly brighten up the place.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

PETALING JAYA: The RM1 coin will be withdrawn from circulation from Dec 7.

A Bank Negara statement yesterday confirmed that the coin would cease to be legal tender from that date.

“The public can exchange the coins at face value without any charge at all commercial banks from Sept 7 to Dec 6.

“The main branches of Bank Simpanan Nasional and Bank Negara branches at Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu will also provide such services,” the central bank said in the statement, adding that the RM1 banknote would continue to be legal tender and remain in circulation.

Details are available at Bank Negara's website, www.bnm.gov.my, or by contacting the currency management and operations department at 03-2698 8044 ext 7442/7417.

Monday, September 05, 2005

One of Malaysia's popular hill resorts is Fraser's Hill. I have gathered below a few sites that will give you a better picture of the resort.

Fraser’s Hill, named after a Scottish trader, is a quiet and cool resort that retains colonial charm. Fraser's Hill offers visitors refreshing cool mountain air, an abundance of luxuriant vegetation, peace and tranquility.

About one and a half hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, passing the town of Kuala Kubu Bharu, then drive along a winding stretch right up to the Gap, which is the base of the resort. From here it is 8 km drive to the top of Fraser's Hill by scenic road.

TaxiTaxi's are also available from Pudu Raya Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur. Source...

Fraser's Hill nestles quietly at 1,524 meters above sea level, slightly to the north of the Genting Highlands and also in Pahang. The beauty of Fraser's Hill is based primarily on its cool mountain air, its abundance of luxuriant vegetation, and its peace and tranquility--all of which have made it a favored destination for birdwatchers.

While there are many other attractions to be found here, they are all pleasantly complementary to Fraser Hill's tranquil charms. There are jungle trails, waterfalls, and flower nurseries, a very pleasant 9-hole golf course, and a riding stable. Other facilities include a children's playground and a roller skating rink.

For accommodation, Fraser's Hill has a range of hotels, chalets and colonial bungalows to suit one's preferences and budget. The resort is about an hour and a half away from Kuala Lumpur. The road to the hill resort winds for about 35 km after the Gap. Source...

The architecture of the older buildings are essentially Georgian as it was meant to be a cool retreat from the humidity of the lowlands for the earlier British community when Malaysia was still a colony of the British empire.

Today, it is still a favoured destination for anyone wishing to escape from not only the humidity but also the hustle and bustle of city life. Fraser's Hill is truly an idyllic place for one to rest and to be away from it all. Source...

At the foot of Fraser's Hill is the Gap - a colonial resthouse and one of the remaining few in Malaysia. A short rest at the Gap Resthouse is a welcome relief..for those who suffer greatly from motion sickness.. A chance to stretch your legs, take big gulps of fresh air and smaller gulps of coffee at the restaurant does wonders. One of the last remaining Resthouses built during the heydays of good old fashioned, unhurried travelling, the Resthouse is a well preserved relic of colonial architecture. Source...

Malaysia's 48th birthday celebration at the Boulevard in Putrajaya and key towns across the country showcased the nation's rich cultural heritage and a promising future in the hands of its vibrant young people. In the federal administrative centre, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister were among the hundreds of thousands of people who watched the grand parade of singers, marchers, floats and aerial acrobatics.

Globalisation and the spiralling price of oil are among the greatest challenges Malaysia has faced, the Prime Minister said here today. "The kinds of challenges we are facinGlobalisation and the spiralling price of oil are among the greatest challenges Malaysia has faced, the Prime Minister said here today.g today are entirely different and greater than what we faced 30, 40 or 50 years ago," Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a message published in the Merdeka Parade souvenir booklet.

"We have to be dynamic to withstand the challenges posed by globalisation, liberalisation as well as global pressure, like the increase in oil prices and environmental pollution."

He said it was crucial that the country’s unity and harmony be maintained.

"Let us renew our pledge to be citizens who truly love and care for the nation, not expecting to gain from it but willing to sacrifice for it," he said.